GIRLS, i can't get my mind off GIRLS oh Lordy help me, haha. I'm nuts
Darn girls ><!
Yea, its hard to keep my priorities straight when i'm surrounded by people of the world ALL the time, like my guy friends. You know us guys.. its girls... girls... girls.. like that montley crue song! Thats all they talk about it, and i'm easily overcome by such talk ><
God bless,
Alex
Alex, I'm almost 48 yrs old and struggle like yourself.
You recognise that you are weak ("I'm easily overcome by such talk") and you know what is causing the weakness ("its hard to keep my priorities straight when i'm surrounded by people of the world ALL the time, like my guy friends. You know us guys.. its girls... girls... girls.. Thats all they talk about").
I've been where you are.
However, one day I (we know Who really inspired the question) asked myself this question; what do you want? Do you want to hang out with your "friends" and be easily overcome or walk with Christ?
Of course I caught myself thinking, why can't I do both? Rom 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:
and; Jas 4:4 Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.
The temptations are not near as strong as they were (it's easier to look away), Thank God, but it's impossible to not be exposed to the temptations. The only thing that worked/works for me is when those temptations show themselves, I remember the words spoken in James and pray.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.
Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:
Jas 1:14
but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Jas 1:15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
I have had to distance myself from some very dear (carnal) friends in the past few months; they are hurt and I am hurt. But, that's the way it must be. We still speak on occasion or may have lunch or dinner together, but that is the extent of our friendship now. We don't "hang out" together anymore.
Just a little background info; I have worked on Pro racing teams for many years. In November, I decided to step away from the Pro ranks (this was a major blow to the piggy bank) and do some local amateur events (I figured it up and I have been on the road for an average of 130 days/year for the last 10 years).
It only took one time to see that the same temptations associated with the Pro ranks are just the same in the amateur ranks. Heck, the amateur ranks may be worse. I know some of the things I saw at the amateur events would never be attempted in the Pros. Crazy/bizarre stuff.
So, as of June 11, 07', I am done with racing from the mechanical aspect of helping other racers.
I would still like to race my bikes (if/when the finances allow it), but I won't be doing any "crew chiefing" for anyone else.
These two actions are some of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make. My life consisted of hanging out with my friends and professional racing. When I was not on the road, I would go and visit everyone because I had nothing to do and to give everyone the results of our last event. I was excited/proud to be a part of the "Quickest And Fastest Dragbikes In The World" team.
But you know what?
God has drug me over to His Team. It's a difficult Team to be a part of and He tells us so in the Word. He also tells us others will hate us because we are on His Team, the difficulties are necessary, AND what we can do to make the transition less difficult.
Hope this helps.
Patrick